Buying a Tasar

These notes were written by Tony Keevers, with assistance from Frank Bethwaite.  The notes were written for Australian buyers, but most comments and tips apply to all Tasars everywhere.  (NOTE:  this information is issued in good faith to assist a purchaser.  It is not exhaustive, because every boat is different.  No responsibility is taken for omissions or inaccuracies.)

Some additional information on buying a Tasar in North America is available here.

Buying a new Tasar

A new Tasar can be ordered direct from the Australian manufacturer - Bethwaite Design Pty Ltd (Frank Bethwaite's own company) located at 2 Waine Street, Harbord on (02) 9938.6003. New boats (complete sail away) are currently priced in the order of $13,210 including GST (this price was current as at 1st July 2000 but is subject to change without notice).


Buying a used Tasar

Sources
Used Tasars can often be found listed for sale in publications such as Weekly Trading Post. Some sailing clubs will have Tasars advertised for sale on their notice boards. Alternatively, contact any members of the Tasar Association to see if they are aware of any Tasars being listed for sale.

Understanding the Sail Numbers
The Tasar has been built in Australia since January, 1976. Starboard Products has been the Australian manufacturer. Sail numbers of Australian-built boats are 750-799, 900-949, then blocks from 1000 to 2730. The sail number can be found stamped on the transom of the hull between the gudgeons. The number might look like "2726A0400" which means that this boat was the 2,726th boat to be built worldwide (the numbering started at #100) and is the boat's sail number, the A indicates Australian construction, and 0400 means "built April 2000".

Hull weights
Hull weights have varied throughout the life of the Tasar. The hulls of boats from 100 to 900 weighed 140lbs (64kg) or a little less. A third layer of 1oz glass was then added world-wide for added abrasion resistance, and the hull weight increased to 149lbs (68kg). As the boats were adopted in Adelaide and Perth with their much stronger average winds and rougher waters, and particularly when the Tasar was purchased by the Navy for institutional use by strong, young men and women further strengthening was added and the weight increased to 154lbs (70kg). About 1995 new laminate materials became commercially available and it became possible to retain all the strengthening but reduce the panel weights so that the hull weight reverted to its design weight of 140lbs (64kg). All hulls built since 1995 have weighed a little less than 140lbs. Because of this history, the class instituted in 1996 a minimum hull weight for sanctioned races of 68kg (150 lb). Boats lighter than this are required to carry correctors to bring them up to the 68kg weight for major events.

Continue to Valuing a Tasar